All of New Jersey’s 15 Largest Municipalities Join ARRIVE Together Program

Innovative approach pairs law enforcement with mental health professionals in 60% of the state.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that Brick Township and Toms River Township have joined the state’s ARRIVE Together program, making New Jersey’s 15 most populous municipalities participants in this pioneering alternative response model. Together, Brick and Toms River add a combined population of more than 168,000 to the program, bringing the total proportion of New Jersey residents covered by ARRIVE to over 60%.

“ARRIVE Together’s primary mission is to connect individuals in mental distress with certified mental health professionals, ensuring these crises are de-escalated safely, fairly, and efficiently,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This life-saving program not only protects those in crisis but also enhances the safety of law enforcement and our communities. We are proud to equip our state’s law enforcement and mental health professionals with the tools they need to effectively attend to those experiencing behavioral health crises and protect and serve our neighborhoods.”

What is ARRIVE Together?

Short for “Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation”, ARRIVE Together takes a public health approach to public safety by pairing law enforcement officers with mental health professionals in responding to certain 9-1-1 calls involving behavioral health crises. Originally launched as a pilot in December 2021, ARRIVE Together was expanded following a $549,750 competitive federal grant and an additional $20.1 million allocation in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to maintain and broaden the program statewide.

Latest Adoptions in Brick and Toms River

Brick and Toms River have adopted an Ocean County model combining “close in time” responses and dedicated follow-up. In Brick, an ARRIVE mental health provider will be available to meet an officer on the scene when an individual is found to need support. A mental health professional will also be stationed at the Brick Police Department one day per week; at other times, officers can request the provider to follow up with individuals. Toms River will host Bright Harbor Healthcare one day weekly and utilize ARRIVE’s follow-up model for other encounters that warrant mental health referrals.

“ARRIVE Together’s proven track record of improving outcomes for individuals encountering law enforcement while experiencing a mental health crisis is a critical element of our efforts to make New Jersey safer,” said Attorney General Platkin. “There have been roughly 7,000 ARRIVE interactions since the initiative’s inception. And every successful encounter is a testament to New Jersey’s commitment to approaching these calls with compassion and creating an environment where our residents are more comfortable with calling for help. Support from Governor Murphy and the Legislature has been crucial to expanding this groundbreaking program.”

A Statewide Transformation

The Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR), established by Attorney General Platkin, coordinates and champions the ARRIVE Together program among other initiatives focused on substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Under ARRIVE, teams respond in unmarked vehicles or through integrated call and dispatch structures, seeking to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with treatment options rather than defaulting to arrest or force. To date, over 6,500 ARRIVE interactions have occurred, and no serious injuries have been reported to officers or individuals. Uses of force have been limited to involuntary transports ordered by mental health screeners.

Largest Municipalities Now Participating

All 15 of New Jersey’s most populous jurisdictions are now active in the program, including:

Newark
Jersey City
Paterson
Elizabeth
Lakewood Township
Edison Township
Woodbridge Township
Toms River Township
Hamilton Township
Trenton
Clifton
Cherry Hill Township
Brick Township
Camden
Bayonne

A Broader Continuum of Care

ARRIVE Together complements the expanding mental health safety net in New Jersey. Individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, or suicidal thoughts can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to receive free, round-the-clock support from trained crisis counselors.

For more information about ARRIVE Together, including its different operating models, visit www.njoag.gov/arrive. The initiative is part of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety’s commitment to compassionate public health responses for residents experiencing behavioral health emergencies.